Waterloo schools again revising busing policy

WATERLOO, Ill. (KSDK)- A new school district policy in Waterloo, Illinois is gaining the attention ofparents and daycare centers.

Last year, Waterloo Community School District No. 5officials stopped transporting students to and from daycare facilities within a mile-and-a-half of their schools.

Next year, school officials will no longer transport kids to any location other thantheir home.

In a letter to parents and guardians dated March 18, Superintendent James Helton said,"The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has ruled that we must change our current practice. The district has no choice but to follow our busing policy exactly and provide transportation for eligible student from home-to-school and school-to-home."

ISBE officials tell NewsChannel 5 they did not make such a statement.

Waterloo daycare providers say the move limits parents' options. Some parents say it restricts their ability to make other childcare arrangements, so they can work more.

District officials are holding a series of meetings on the topic. Those meetings will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, at Zahnow Elementary School and again on Thursday, March 28 at Gardner Elementary.